Beast Taming: I'm Really Just a Forest Ranger

Chapter 320 - 189: The Qinling Mountains Are High and Dangerous, Mr. Chen’s Renown Spreads Afar

"Yao, can you tell me more about the New Star Association?"

After entering the Mysterious Forest, Chen Yuan, unfamiliar with the surroundings, didn’t need to lead the way; all he had to do was continue straight ahead.

He thought it over and decided to gather more information about the New Star Association.

Anyway, they’ll have to confront them sooner or later.

Yao Li appeared to be in his thirties, with a buzz cut, a shallow scar on his left eyebrow, wearing a dark green tactical jacket, and a water bottle hanging from his waist.

"Since Advisor Chen is interested, there’s certainly no problem," Yao Li said with a friendly smile. "The New Star Association is an organization that suddenly emerged after the Spiritual Energy Revival, operating mysteriously, and conducting activities in small teams throughout Donghuang."

"Based on the current information collected, the New Star Association is divided into multiple departments, such as the Biology Research Department, Logistics Resource Department, Intelligence Integration Department, and so on."

At this point, Yao Li gave a faint smile, "It’s quite something for an organization to come up with so many things."

Chen Yuan showed a thoughtful expression, "It seems like they’ve been planning for a long time."

Yao Li first nodded in agreement and then said, "The leader’s identity of the New Star Association is still unknown, but below him, there are twelve officers, each corresponding to different code names."

"How is the strength of the officers?" Chen Yuan was particularly concerned about this issue.

Yao Li objectively evaluated, "Similar to our Investigation Department captains."

"But our Investigation Department has over a hundred captains."

Since the Investigation Department was divided into ten branches, each branch has several teams, and the overall strength far surpasses what it used to be.

Hearing this, the strength difference between the New Star Association and the Investigation Department seemed worlds apart.

Perhaps seeing through Chen Yuan’s inner thoughts, Yao Li said, "Advisor Chen, the main reason these organizations hide underground is because their strength is insufficient."

"In front of our Investigation Department, they can only engage in petty theft, and it’s impossible for them to directly confront us."

"Scenes from certain films and animations won’t appear in Donghuang."

Chen Yuan was slightly startled, quickly understanding that Yao Li was referring to scenarios where villain organizations turn the world upside down while the authorities are helpless.

However, as he listened, Chen Yuan always felt that Yao Li was raising a flag.

Yao Li continued, "Below the officers, there are senior members and regular members."

"They likely have a well-established promotion system; as long as you accumulate enough achievements, you can be promoted."

"Also, their recruitment channels for new members are very covert and require multiple assessments."

Chen Yuan’s mind shifted, suddenly remembering the poacher named Viper Fang.

Captain Nie Li had said that Viper Fang was sponsored by the New Star Association.

Could the New Star Association be planning to develop Viper Fang into an official member?

It’s just unfortunate that Viper Fang encountered the adventure team, and the wish to join the New Star Association fell through.

The two chatted along the way, and without realizing it, dusk had settled into the mountain ridge.

"Professor, let’s find a place to rest," Chen Yuan suggested.

Having set out early in the day, it was now late afternoon, and everyone’s physical and mental energy was rapidly depleting, indicating it was time to find a spot to set up camp.

"Alright," the professor nodded.

Towering peak shadows resembled the spine of a giant beast coiled at rest, dark waves surged through the pine forest.

The wind swept in from all directions, whistling against the rock faces like an old flute’s sobs.

"Chirp~"

Spark danced in the air, bright flame streams emanated from it, illuminating the path ahead.

The Blast Flame Fighting Ape followed closely, the blaze at its tail burning fiercely, reflecting flames in Lu Ran’s eyes.

Everyone wore headlamps, their beams piercing the night sky.

Soon, Chen Yuan found an area of relatively flat ground, shielded by a rock face, an excellent spot for camping.

A bright bonfire quickly lit up, and everyone promptly set up their tents.

First, they fed the Pet Beasts, then busied themselves preparing dinner.

Calling it dinner, it was really just some simple instant food, quickly ready to eat with a soak in hot water.

Yao Li took off his waist-hanging water bottle, broke off a piece of instant noodles, and placed it over the fire to cook. Soon, it was ready to eat.

He pulled out a pair of folding chopsticks from somewhere, squatted down, picked up a strand of noodles, and slurped it into his mouth, a look of enjoyment spreading across his face.

If you didn’t know better, you’d think he was eating delicacies.

But, truth be told, no delicacy could surpass the steaming hot instant noodles in the chilly night wind.

Chen Yuan glanced at Yao Li’s backpack beside him, spotting the neatly arranged packets of instant noodles through the seams, he was instantly surprised, "Yao, are you a fan of instant noodles?"

Yao Li didn’t lift his head, chuckling as he replied, "I used to be so busy with work that I didn’t have time to eat properly, so I only had instant noodles to cope."

"Over time, I got used to it and even grew to like instant noodles."

He took out a pack of spicy-flavored noodles from his backpack and handed it to Chen Yuan, "Care for a pack, Advisor Chen?"

"I’ll join you," Chen Yuan didn’t refuse.

With their hunger quenched and night watch arrangements confirmed, the exhausted group quickly fell asleep.

Early the next morning,

"It’s... it’s snowing!"

Chen Yuan, still in a slumber, was awoken by the sound of surprise. He groggily opened his eyes and unzipped the tent door.

The sunlight was glaring, prompting him to squint—morning rays breaking through the clouds, the entire forest blanketed in a soft layer of silver.

Snowflakes whispered across the fir branches, startling clusters of fluffy snow, which, before touching the ground, were spun into small vortices by the cold wind, resembling dandelions scattered by a mountain god.

No, not a mountain god.

It was Cola frolicking in the snow; the whirlwinds around it stirred waves of snow, its big fluffy tail sweeping the snow like a broom, leaving a string of plum blossom prints, quickly concealed by the falling snowflakes.

Not far off, the old pine branches drooped heavily with snow bundles, suddenly shivering, shaking off snow powder like jade chips.